Business Recycling

Business Recycling Resources

Loudoun County offers technical assistance to help businesses implement a successful recycling program.

If your business currently receives garbage collection service, your service provider should be able, and in most cases is required, to provide recycling service.

Adding recycling service will reduce the capacity needed for regular trash and may provide an opportunity for a price reduction in your trash bill to offset the cost for establishing the recycling collection service.

The following links are provided to guide you in developing a business recycling program:

Why recycle electronics

Electronics are made with a variety of valuable resources such as precious metals, engineered plastics, glass, steel, aluminum, and other materials, all of which require energy to manufacture.

When electronic equipment is simply discarded as waste, the energy value in these resources is lost and substantial amounts of waste and pollution result in the mining and processing of natural resources needed to replace those that were discarded.

Electronics make up approximately 2% of our waste each year, which equates to nearly 6,000 tons in Loudoun County, and most of this material is recyclable.

Where to recycle your electronics

Manufacturer Recycling Programs

Manufacturers to provide free recycling for brand name computers and monitors for residential and home-business consumers. Visit Manufacturer Recycling Programs for a list of participating manufacturers and links to their free recycling mail-back services.

Resources

Recycling Bins for Special Events

Loudoun County provides free recycling bins for loan to large and small gatherings including festivals, neighborhood parties, sporting events, family reunions, and for other events of any size.

The recycling bins are constructed with a collapsible metal frame (lays flat) and a specialized snap-on lid. A clear bag inserts into the frame. Bags are provided at no charge.

Up to 50 recycling bins are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis.

Up to five indoor recycling bins are available for loan also. The indoor recycling bins are plastic, approximately 3 foot by 2 foot by 8 foot and include a specialized lid.

Reserve Recycling Bins

The recycling bins may be picked up and returned by appointment in Leesburg. Call 703-771-5500 to reserve recycling bins for your next event.

Consider the following items in order to determine how many bins are needed:

Number of Vendors or Attendees

Serving Food & Beverages

Placement of Receptacles (entry/exit points, near vendors, near restrooms)

Emptying & Transferring Material (during and at end of event)

What Do I Do with My Recyclables After the Event

Bagged recyclables may be deposited at any Loudoun County Recycling Dropoff Center location. Find out more information about the Recycling Dropoff Centers and the location nearest you.

Promote Recycling at Your Event

Encourage recycling by promoting it during special announcements and by advertising recycling in the event program and on a sign at the entrance.

Recycling bins should be clearly marked to help prevent them from being used for trash. The Loudoun County will provide recycling decals to assist your promotional efforts, please call 703-771-5500.

It also helps to use recycling bins that have a reduced opening in the top that will limit the size to that of a bottle or can and help keep trash out. For example, plastic trash cans with lids are an inexpensive option for recycling bins by simply cutting a small circular hole in the lid for bottles and cans.

Residential Recycling

Residents may drop-off their recyclables at any of the 10 drop-off sites located throughout the county.

Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling service in Loudoun County is offered by the incorporated towns, homeowner associations, residential and commercial property management offices, or by direct subscription with local waste collection service providers.

Check with your service provider for a complete list of what is accepted for recycling.

Recycling Bins

Curbside recycling bins are provided by the service provider or agency that is responsible for ensuring service. Recycling bins are also available for purchase at local home improvement stores and on-line.

Recyclables should be placed loosely in recycling bins, without the bag, and the recycling bin should be covered to prevent litter.

Yard Waste

Grass clippings, leaves, and twigs should not be set out in plastic bags, only use paper bags designed for yard waste or a reusable container.

Accepted & Unaccepted Items for Curbside Recycling

Contents should be emptied from bottles, cans and jars, and any rinsing should be minimized to conserve water. Minor residuals of food or detergent is okay.

Plastic bags of any type are not accepted for curbside recycling because they cause equipment jamming issues at recycling sorting facilities, which also includes any plastic bags used for carrying out the recyclables. Plastic grocery bags should be returned to grocery stores for recycling. See the Plastic Bag Recycling Tab for programs related to plastic bag recycling.

Accepted Items

Unaccepted Items

Aluminum cans

Cardboard

Cereal boxes

Container lids

Disposable pans

Foil

Glass bottles and jars

Magazines

Mail

Newspaper

Office paper

Paper

Plastic bottles

Plastic jars

Plastic tubs / cups

Steel cans

Any type of glass other than bottles and jars

Batteries

Electronics

Food waste other than minor residuals in food and beverage containers

Light bulbs

Medical wastes and syringes

Motor oil bottles and other automotive fluid bottles

Paper cups

Paper plates

Pesticide and herbicide containers, other hazardous chemical bottles

Pizza box bottoms (or any paper that has been contaminated with food or grease)

Plastic Bags

Plastic serving utensils or straws

Plastic wrap

Screws and nails

String or twine

Styrofoam

Tape

Toys

Any other items that are not listed above among the "Accepted for Curbside Recycling" section